Auburn scored with under a minute remaining on a Stidham TD pass to Seth Williams, but was unable to recover the onside kick attempt.

The Vols' offense entered the game ranked No. 94 nationally in third-down conversions, but Guarantano dissected the Tigers' secondary on those downs with 11-of-14 passing for 188 yards and a score. The Vols converted 10 of 19 tries on third down.

THE TAKEAWAY

Tennessee: Pruitt got his first victory in the SEC and suddenly Tennessee can at least hope for a bowl bid in its first season under the former Alabama defensive coordinator.

Auburn: The Tigers started the season with playoff hopes, but they have regressed and can expect to be unranked on Sunday.

AUBURN STARTERS OUT

Tigers running back JaTarvious Whitlow (12 carries, 42 yards) was injured while trying to recover Stidham's fumble and did not re-enter the game. Safety Jeremiah Dinson was ejected for targeting on Jennings' touchdown and will miss the first half of next week's game at Ole Miss.